Underwater paving element



March 31, 1970 R. M. OQUITA 3,503,216

UNDERWATER PAVING ELEMENT Filed Jan. 29, 1968 Mmvra: KIM/Ia I W/filUnited States Patent 3,503,216 UNDERWATER PAVING ELEMENT Ramiro M.Oquita, 547 Greenbank, Duarte, Calif. 91010 Filed Jan. 29, 1968, Ser.No. 701,236 Int. Cl. E02b 3/14; E01e /00 US. Cl. 6137 3 Claims ABSTRACTOF THE DISCLOSURE A system is disclosed for paving the surface of astratus, comprising for example a super-saturated, or semiliquid earth,sediment or sludge, which may be covered with water. The systemincorporates a plurality of individual elements each of which comprisesa paving cap or surface element that is affixed to a hollow shaft to bevacuum-locked into the receiving stratum. A seal is provided to closethe exterior end of the shaft (carrying the paving element) after theshaft is substantially filled with the sludge of the stratus. As aresult, the element is locked in place by the sludge contained withinthe shaft and by the abutment of the paving cap against the surface ofthe stratum.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Over the years it has beennecessary to provide underwater paving in various water projects such aswater reservoirs, irrigation canals and flood control systems, mostly tominimize water loss through seepage, to avoid erosion or to maintainclean, clear water. Underwater paving has also been used in conjunctionwith boat-docking facilities, where soft sediments are required toreceive temporary loads from vehicles such as trucks, trailers, cranesand so on, that are used to place boats in the water and remove them. Ingeneral, concrete has been employed for such underwater paving projects;however, it is expensive, impractical and difficult to installunderwater. The need for an improved structure exists.

An accelerated growth of engineering projects within and aroundestuaries, beaches and the sea floor has created an urgent demand formore stable shorelines and submerged topography. Erosion must be kept ata minimum around these developed areas and some submerged slopes(natural or man-made) should be stabilized. These slopes or sedimentsneed protection from the eroding action of waves, currents, tides,turbulence and so on. The need for submerged paving is definitelypresent in this field. Specifically, for example, in boat marinas,waterways, shoreline housing or construction, beaches, submergedpipelines, submerged marine platforms or other structures, excavations,such as for submerged traffic tubes or waterways, marine aquariums orother recreational areas which need clear water.

Generally, the present erosion protection or paving of submergedsurfaces of these facilities is expensive or found wanting. For example,rip-rap (rock deposit) which is most commonly employed is sometimes morehazardous that it is helpful, particularly in lightweight, soft, fluifymuds, where rip-rap boulders sink out of sight or roll into undesirableplaces or displace mud into unpredictable spots. Furthermore, locationswhich receive rip-rap are unsightly and left with very restrictedusability thereafter. As a result, there exists a need for a system ofpaving a submerged surface in order to contain and protect the sedimentswith minimum disturbance; a system which is relatively economical andnot inclined to erode away from the slopes or areas.

In general, the present invention resides in a system of pavingsubmerged surfaces which utilizes the sediments ice beneath this surfaceto actually hold the paving element in position. The individual elementsinclude: a paving cap which may bear a flange and which provides anincremental area of paved surface, which cap is atfixed to an elongatedshaft or shafts for placement into the underlying sediments of thesubmerged surface. The external end of the shaft is forced into thesediments; then after placement, when the shaft is filled withsediments, the shaft is sealed so as to hold the affixed paving caplocked into position over the sediments beneath it. The systemcontemplates the use of paving elements having a variety of shaftlengths in order to avoid the likelihood of massive shearing by theentire paving system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings, which constitute apart of this specification, exemplary embodiments demonstrating variousobjectives and features hereof are set forth, specifically:

FIGURE 1 is a sectional, fragmentary, perspective view of a pavingsystem incorporating the principles of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged, sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIGURE1;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary and sectional perspective view illustratingone form of the present invention;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary elevation view of components shown in FIGURE 3with slight variation; and

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of another form of pavingelement representative of the present in vention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS As required, detailedillustrative embodiments of the invention are disclosed herein. However,it is to be understood that the embodiments merely exemplify theinvention which may take many forms that are radically different fromthose described in detail herein. Therefore, the specific structural andfunctional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted aslimiting, but merely as a basis for the claims defining the scope of theinvention.

Referring initially to FIGURE 1, there is shown a basin floor 10, aportion of which may be continuously or intermittently under a body ofwater 12. A portion of the floor 10 is shown covered by a paving 14including a plurality of individual paving elements 16 provided in asubstantially-closed array, so as to afford an enduring definitivesurface between the sediments or stratum of the floor 10 and the body ofwater 12. Thus, water 12 is maintained substantially free offlocculating particles from under the paving 14, so as to be clean andclear. Coincidentally, the system inhibits the erosion of the floor 10by wave or tidal action. Of course, the paving 14 may be variouslylocated as on an ocean floor at considerable depth, on a beach or tidalbasin, as well as in association with various inland lakes andwaterways. Thus, the paving 14 may be continually submerged,intermittently submerged, or substantially never submerged.

Considering the paving 14 in greater detail, each of the individualpaving elements 16 (FIGURE 2) include a paving cap 18 afiixed to anelongate hollow shaft 20. In the orderly array of paving elements 16comprising the paving 14, the individual shafts 20 extend into thesediments or other stratum 22 to various depths, thereby avoiding thelikelihood of creating a shear plane at the coincident ends of theshafts 20. Specifically, as shown, the shafts 20a, 20b, and 200 are eachof a length different from the other so as to extend into the stratum 22to varying depths, thereby affording a more complete engagement betweenthe paving 14 and the stratum 22,

3 and'one which is not inclined toward shear movement.

The elongate shafts 20 (FIGURE 2) are filled with sediments of thestratum 22 and their upper ends are closed by the caps 18. As a result,the caps 18 not only create a compressional force surface whichabuts'and contains the stratum 22, but additionally the caps 18 closethe shafts 20 so that efforts to withdraw the shafts 20 (raise the caps18) create suction or tension resistant forces within and beneath theshaft 20. That is, in attempting to lift one of the paving elements 16,it must be drawn from the stratum 22 comprising saturated sediments withwhich the shaft 20 is filled. As a result, forces tending to lift one ofthe paving elements 16 encounter a vacuum or resistance which isdeveloped by the exit of sediments from its native position at theinterior end of shaft 20 as the shaft is lifted.

As suggested above, those bearing forces that may be exerted upon thepaving elements 16 tending to diive them further into the stratum 22 areopposed by compressional forces created on the stratum 22 abutting theunder surfaces of the paving elements 16. In this regard, with theinstallation of the paving 14, the stratum 22 thereunder becomesconfined so that displacement by exerting a downward force on one of thepaving elements 16 requires a tremendous force. As a result, the pavingelements 16, once placed, tend to remain stationary as an integral partof a system of paving 14.

The individual paving elements 16 as considered above may take a varietyof different specific forms, one-of which is shown in FIGURES 3 and 4,while another is disclosed in FIGURE 5. In general, these structures maybe fabricated of different materials, eg plastic or metal. In oneembodiment, the utilization of polyvinyl chloride and polyethyleneplastics have been found particularly effective, the paving elementsbeing formed, as by injection-molding techniques.

Considering one structural form thereof, reference will now be made toFIGURES 3 and 4 showing the cap 18 somewhat separate from the shaft 20.Specifically, the paving cap 18 (FIGURE 3) defines a polygonal surface24 which constitutes an incremental surface in a total paving system.The surface 24 is perpendicular to the axis of the shaft 20 andterminates that shaft when the element is installed. As shown in FIGURE3, the shaft 20 is telescopically received through the paving cap 18 andis forced into the sediments so that the upper end 26 thereof lies on aplane with the cap' surface 24. The elements are locked together in sucha position by a set of annular external rings defined on the columnshaft 20 matingly engaging a set of internal rings 30 carried on aninterior surface of cylinder 32 extending centrally through the pavingcap 18 and defining a bore therethrough which telescopically receivesthe cylindrical column or shaft 20.

Considering the structure as shown in FIGURE 3 in greater detail, thecap 18 defines the cylindrical surface 32, the lower end 34 of which istapered, while the upper end is somewhat relieved about an annulus 36.On the cap 18, about the edge of the periphery of the surface 24, thereis provided a rectangular frame extension or flange 38 which defines atapered edge 40 and which extends in the same direction as the cylinder'32.

The paving cap 18 as shown in FIGURE 3 may be formed byinjection-molding, utilizing polyvinyl chloride or polyethylene, forexample, to provide an integral cap of enduring quality.

Considering the shaft 20 (FIGURE 3) in greater detail, the upper closedend 26 is integral with an upper cylindrical section 42 (on which therings 28 are defined) and a continuous lower section 44. Of course, thelength of the cylindrical shaft 20 in relation to the size of the cap 20is subject to considerable variation depending upon the contemplated useand the nature of the paving element; however, in general, it has beenfound desirable to provide the cross-sectional area of the shaft 20 atleast one- 4 sixth the total area of the surface 24 plus the area of theend 26.

On the external or upper section 42 on which the rings 28 defineupward-facing shoulders 46, there is also defined a port 48. The lengthof the shaft may vary; however, the port 48 is at one end, the otherterminating in an end 50. The shaft 20 may be variously provided as byplastic extrusion techniques, molding and finishing techniques. In acompatible and satisfactory exemplary arrangement with the cap 18, theshaft 20 also has been formed of plastic.

A complete understanding of the structure of FIGURE 3 may now best beunderstood by considering the installation of such an element into thesubmerged sediments. In this regard, it is to be noted that thestructure hereof may be readily handled and installed by divers Withoutthe necessity of moving or diverting water from the area ofinstallation. Such installation may be accomplished simply by laying thecap 18 in position upon the surface of the stratum, then forcing thecolumn or shaft 20 through the cylinder 32 and into the saturatedsediments of the stratum. In this regard, the stratum may be anygeological formations; however, most normally, the presence of recentsediments which are saturated or supersaturated will be found. As aresult, as the shaft 20 is forced into the sediments of the stratum, thelightweight and soft sediments permit easy entrance of the shaft 20 andallows the excess water to be exhausted through the port 48. The finalforce applied to the end 26 of the shaft 20 sets the shaft in aninterlocked relationship with the cap 18. Specifically, the shoulders 26defined by the rings 42 matingly engage opposed shoulders carried on therings 30 within the cylinder 32. As a result, the shaft 20 is lockinglyengaged to the cap 18. Coincidentally, the port 48 is closed by thecylindrical surface 32, thereby locking the sediments within the shaft20. Thus, any force to withdraw the shaft 20 from the stratum is opposedby the fact that water may not enter the port 48 to relieve the spacetherein and permitting such withdrawal.

The installed paving element as described above with reference to FIGURE3 may also include locking teeth or shoulders 52 (FIGURE 3) formed aboutthe interior of the cylinder 32. Such shoulders afford further lockingengagement with the shaft 20.

In still another form of the present invention, the cap 18 may beintegrally formed with the shaft 20, as shown in FIGURE 5. In this form,the shaft 20 simply comprises an elongate cylindrical section whichterminates at the cap 18 defining a rectangular surface 62 andincorporating a perpendicular frame flange 64. Additionally, the cap 18includes a threaded central bore 66 affording access to the inside 68 ofthe cylinder 60 and adapted to be sealed closed by receiving a threadedplug 70.

In using the paving element as shown in FIGURE 5, the shaft 60 is forcedinto the stratum or sedimentary layer until the surface 62 is at thedesired level. Subsequently, the plug 70 is fitted into the bore 66thereby locking the paving member in position.

It is to be noted that various tools and equipment may be employed tofacilitate the installation of individual paving elements as describedherein. For example, various mechanical force drivers may be employed orin relatively soft sediments, the individual elements may be simplyinstalled by hand. Of course, individual applications will give rise toa variety of different individual demands.

Of course, as indicated above, the system hereof may be readily adaptedto provide a wide variety of different paving structures and specificpaving elements; therefore, the system as disclosed herein is to bedeemed merely an exemplary embodiment in which specific exemplarystructures have been disclosed; however, the scope hereof shall not berestricted accordingly but rather shall be interpreted in accordancewith the claims as set forth below.

What is claimed is:

1. An element for paving a surface which is defined by sediments or thelike, as at a location of water activity, comprising:

an elongate hollow shaft in tubular form, for placement whereby thelower end thereof extends into said sediments so that said shaftreceives a quantity of said sediments in the interior thereof;

a paving cap structure defining a cylindrical opening and includingmeans matingly engaging said hollow shaft within said opening of saidcap, said shaft in cooperation with said cap including closure means toclose the upper end of said shaft when said quantity of sediments arereceived therein whereby to suspend said quantity of sediments in saidshaft and thereby hold said paving element atfixed in said sediments.

2. A paving element according to claim 1 wherein said paving capstructure comprises two separate elements including a surface cap memberdefining an area of paving and a seal closure member affixed to said capmember.

3. A paving element according to claim 2 wherein said surface cap memberdefines an opening matingly receiving said hollow shaft and said sealclosure member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 953,051 3/1910 De Muralt 61371,352,429 9/1920 Clarke 6137 10 2,026,224 12/1935 Drehmann 94112,230,506 2/1941 Vissering 9411 FOREIGN PATENTS 15 65,257 1/1950Netherlands.

JACOB L. NACKENOFF, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

